In 2012, Pennsylvania's Republicans engineered perhaps the most brutally efficient redistricting map in the country: thanks to some creative cartography, the GOP captured 13 of the state's 18 districts, even though Democratic candidates for House won 83,468 more votes than Republicans statewide. Thanks to the national political environment, Republicans appear likely to hold their 13-5 House seat lead even as GOP Gov. Tom Corbett remains in deep trouble in his reelection race.
Democrats are targeting two suburban Philadelphia seats: the 6th CD, where GOP Rep. Jim Gerlach is retiring, and the 8th CD, where GOP Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick is running for reelection. But the more interesting contests could come in the May 20 primaries: Rep. Bill Shuster in the 9th CD is the Republican to watch, and Democratic Rep. Allyson Schwartz's run for governor has set off a highly competitive Democratic primary in the 13th CD.
PA-01: Robert Brady (D) - South and central Philadelphia, Chester Solid Democratic. Brady took just 15 percent of the vote in Philadelphia's 2007 mayoral primary, but as the chair of the Philadelphia City Democratic Committee,
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